The Lehighton Band will present its annual Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Saturdayin the Pfc. Clyde Houser Borough Annex, Third Street, Lehighton.

The band recently experienced a "growth spurt," adding many high school students who not only add to the numbers, but also add to the enthusiasm and fullness of the band.Included in the program will be "Rejoice the Season," an exciting opener by concert band writer Rob Romeyn, followed by Leroy Anderson's famous "A Christmas Festival," and a ballad titled "Carol of the Candle" performed by featured soloist Sean Parrish on fluegelhorn.Parrish is a recent graduate of Kutztown University, where he received a degree in music. While there, he performed and recorded albums with the school's top jazz ensemble.He is currently in his fourth season with Zion Opera Workshop's orchestra, as well as Zion's ecumenical Christmas cantata orchestra.His most recent project was with the Carowinds Brass Brigade in North Carolina.The band will continue with "Christmas on Broadway," featuring Christmas songs made famous in shows from the Big Apple and the contemporary Christmas song "All is Well," which was made famous by Michael W. Smith. "Dona Nobis Pacem" will follow, and is a fun arrangement containing both mellow parts and exciting passages including interesting percussion parts.A "Contemporary Christmas" presents bits of songs made famous by various pop artists.Amy Grant's "Grown Up Christmas List" joins the band with a four-part harmony from vocalists Laura Cressley, Casi Short, Joe Plechavy and Chris Short.Summer and spring concerts by the Lehighton band are not usually complete without a march by Sousa, and this year, their Christmas concert will see the band perform "Stars and Stripes for Christmas," a unique pairing of John Philip Sousa's most famous march and "just as famous" Christmas carols.That will be followed by "Christmas Declaration," and then "The Nutty Nutcracker," which takes excerpts from the Nutcracker Suite to an entirely different playing field as the parody uses unique dance styles and rhythms. The original themes of the Nutcracker, however, are preserved and recognizable throughout.The band will finish off the concert with "A Charlie Brown Christmas," which features the music from the beloved Peanuts Christmas movie, and "Polar Express," which will end the concert with songs from this wildly popular movie.Due to a generous donation by the Lehighton 150th Celebration Committee, this year's Lehighton Band Christmas Concert will be free as a part of the "Trees in the Park" event.In addition to the Christmas music, the audience will be treated to homemade Christmas cookies, as well as hot and cold refreshments.Tickets are available from band members, or can be picked up at Carbon County Music and More, 115 S. Second St., Lehighton.The band is under the direction of Bradly R. Cressley. The announcer for the program is Barry Gangwer.This year, the band lost its beloved director, Paul R. Smith, to lymphoma.Smith was the director of the band for one-third of its existence, and he will be greatly missed by many for years to come.Smith always enjoyed directing and preparing these Christmas concerts, which is why the Lehighton Band will dedicate this year's performances in his loving memory.The band is celebrating its 151st year of providing quality music to Lehighton and the surrounding areas.